The “New Normal” Is Here To Stay

We live in a time where whatever we do must cater to the “new normal”. This word would probably be the most overrated term of the decade along with an umpteen number of lockdown strategies that floods our phones and social media handles. Yes, it’s just the beginning of the new decade and the whole world is changing. Change is the only constant we said, and it always proved right, now, more than ever before.

Zoom calls

The first place in the “new normal” would be bagged by this app, which became synonymous with the evolving social distancing norms. Video conferencing was the best way to connect with the employees who were still facing the regular dose of Monday blues, except that they would now be in the comfort of their homes.

Instagram Live

With Instagram winning the race in the most happening place that helps in virtual connectivity, Instagram live became the most overrated “new normal” that could soon be vetoed as an essential means to connect with followers across the globe. Actors, influencers and brands alike announced their Instagram Live broadcasts well in advance that sometimes made it convenient to stay out of a vicious circle of “Lives” that had to make way to the “new normal” considering the minimalism and the short span of concentration that one was used to while consuming the content. Facebook, YouTube, Twitter all had their share of live broadcasts.

Audiobooks, E-Books and Podcasts

There was a take on Twitter that the lockdown could be extended till every single person would have their own podcasts! Audiobooks and a variety of podcasts made a smooth entry into the system while one was busy cleaning their homes, or tidying their closets. Once the restrictions are loosened these two buddies could be the “normal” of the “new normal” as they have proved that they are here to stay. Variety of content, a catalyst to multitasking, and they are an antidote to the regular content and music on loop that FM stations offered. With bookstores not considered essential until recently and reviving the long-lost habit of reading topped the priority, e-books came to the rescue.

Bingo, Ludo and House Party

If Bingo was a reality check that covered nostalgic, creative, need of the hour topics, widely shared as Instagram stories, Ludo and Monopoly let friends and cousins connect and have fun, not forgetting the factor of time that came handy with the lockdown. Houseparty too joined the party by connecting up to eight people and let one play games like Pictionary, Heads Up, Act it Out, Potter Trivias and so on.

Quarantine Cooking

With Dalgona Coffee topping the chart, quarantine transformed most of the kitchens into “cooking labs” and satisfying the regular cravings using minimal ingredients available. If feeling exotic was off the charts considering the ongoing climate, the exotic feel the coffee offered was the evident reason for the popularity of the viral Dalgona Coffee. Though it enjoyed its own share of popularity, quarantine cooking is definitely not here to stay.

Binge Watching and OTT platforms

Binge watching was an overrated term prior lockdown probably a leading one in the “new normal”. With theatres shutting down indefinitely and time coming in handy with the lockdown, what we were left with was our dwindling bucket list of shows and series to watch which we had conveniently marked for a time which was never meant to come our way.

With most of these which have paved its way into the “new normal” list, changing what was considered to be normal and letting us hold on to change and break up with our conveniently conditioned system is the norm.